Junk Sky, by Butterfly Bangs (7" on Weekender)

UK ORDERS OVER £50 SHIP FREE!

This record left Adam feeling ecstatic.

Butterfly bangs don't even know what their own songs are about but to be honest when it's this catchy who cares. The conflicting descriptions of the Brothers who make up this white hot indie pop band describe tales of batman and heartbreak but it's the jangle pop of the guitars and dancey drums that really speak for them. 'Junk Sky' was heard first by Pete Doherty who had just come from a court hearing. He played the song ten times in a row (which does indeed show he's a nutter after all) but to be honest he's not wrong. There's a morish and catchy nature to their song-writing which is both contemporary and also very 80's indie pop. The guitars recall Mccarthy twinkle and jangle. Tim Gane would be proud. Vocally Emmanuel sounds a lot like Franz Ferdinand's front man only as if he'd grown up only listening to 50's crooners and Morrissey. 'Junk Sky' makes use of some crashing drums, a sax solo and some excellent drumming. Things get better with 'It's A Lie' which is very Mccarthy. The kick drum leads us into this bounding pop treat. I have high hopes for this band. Their shimmering pop recalls Echo & The Bunny Men and a plethora of 80's pop but they take all the good parts ending in the joyous bittersweet juxtaposing lyrics and music. The speeded up outro leaves you gagging for more. Oh it's so good. A feel good record at last. I tip my caps to you. Pete Stanley, The Plastic Ashtray + Any of you regular readers out there will already know of my love for London based indie label Weekender Records, it seems that they have impeccable taste, a fine ear and a real urge to uncover the most infectious tunes known to man. Butterfly Bangs are the latest abbrassive indie pop four-piece to release a single through Weekender Records and they manage to keep the ball up for the label, with a wonderful jangly indie pop masterpiece. Junk Sky is a sub three-minute anthem that opens with a wave of fuzzy guitars, before quickiy developing into a glorious pop racket complete with soaring vocals, urgent clattered drums and a "catchier than the common cold" chorus. The band ably back Junk Sky with the equally essential, It's A Lie, a track that brings to mind Rhythm & Booze favourites Rumble Strips (only without the horns), it's a wonderfully paced strum that speeds towards it's finale, whilst lead singer Emmanuel Ross delivers a passionate and infectious holler. Butterfly Bangs have already received radio airplay from the likes of Huw Stephens, Steve Lamacq and Calre Sturgess among others, they've also played a number of high profile gigs with the likes of Towers Of London, Hard-Fi and The Pigeon Detectives, wowing audiences in their wake, not only increasing their live reputation but also their fanbase with every performance. If this single is anything to go by 2008 should be a huge year for Butterfly Bangs, expect to hear a great deal more from the band as the year goes by. Rhythm & Booze Rating 9/10 Weekender Records are certainly starting 2008 with a bang or in this case, Butterfly Bangs! I wasn't too impressed with their previous single, the sub Libertines sounding On The Street, but on Junk Sky Butterfly Bangs have certainly surprised me with what I can only describe as one hell of a pretty good pop tune. The attention grabbing vocals means that you are unlikely to wander during the song and musically it's all very up tempo, all very rousing and almost anthem like. Flip side It's A Lie is very Dexy's Midnight Runners-ish to say the least and singer Emmanuael even sounds like Kevin Rowland during the song. However it's far from plagiarism as they impose their own sound and identity onto the song. Impressive stuff. Junk Sky is out on Weekender Records on March 3rd 2008. www.indie-mp3.co.uk

Review date: 07 March 2008

This record left our BRIAN D feeling sad.

Goodddddd! Help me please! Now i've got the Butterfly Bangs. 'Junk Sky' sounds like Gene with some wailing berk who's half Kevin Rowland, half Alex Kepranos over the top of this...this...THIS TURGID NONSENSE! This is just conveyor belt jangle pop for the radio. It's like a frigging meccano set for 4 year olds. Constuct yr own 3rd rate "indie anthem" in 2 hours!!! Dilute Smiths b-side 1 part concentrate to 3 parts water, mix a smidgeon of Franz Ferdinand, a pinch of Bloc Party and a dab of Kaiser Pigeon Chief Detectives. Instant drive time distraction on yer hands & you've got a signed Zane Lowe press pack! Waheyyyy! Ltd 7" on the classically astute Weekender label.